Andrews, William Henry Lowry

Lieutenant William Henry Lowry Andrews (known as Lowry)

Andrews was born at 63 Marlborough Park South, Belfast on 8th December 1918 to Joseph Moody Andrews, Merchant and Lavina Hatrick Andrews nee Graham. They had married on 10th January 1917 at Windsor Presbyterian Church. 

Following his education in Bangor Grammar School, Andrews joined the bank around 1935 based on a starting age of 17.

He volunteered and enlisted into the army. Promotion to Lieutenant from Cadet followed in August 1940 (service number 143809). 

Andrews was serving with 32 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery when he was killed in action at El Alamein on 8th July 1942 aged 23.

The Belfast News-Letter of 27th July 1942 reported:

Lowry Andrews is buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt. Grave reference 'XXIX A 9'.  

Acknowledgements to CWGC

There is a memorial to Andrews in the Trinity Presbyterian Church, Bangor.

Lowry Andrews is also remembered on the Bangor Grammar School War Memorial [picture] and on the Crusaders Union (Urban Saints) War Memorial, Isle of Wight [picture, website].

The NatWest Group Archives website has published this information:

William Henry Lowry Andrews was born on 8 December 1918, the son of Joseph M Andrews, a merchant, and his wife Ina. He was educated at Bangor Grammar School. In April 1937 he went to work for Ulster Bank at its head office in Belfast. 

 

In December 1939 Andrews left the bank to go on war service, and by 1942 he was a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, on active service in the Middle East. He was killed in action in Egypt on 8 July 1942. He was 23 years old.

William Andrews is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the Second World War and its memorial for those who fell.